Messi's friend that FC Barcelona wants to sign for $30m to stop Mbappé, it wouldn't be the best deal for Barca

Although FC Barcelona looks focused on making smart signings this summer to avoid Financial Fair Play [FFP] problems, the Catalan club may sign a player who is good friends with Lionel Messi. Barcelona are interested in Real Betis defensive midfielder Guido Rodriguez. The 30-year-old Argentine player is a teammate of Messi in the Argentina national team, and the Catalan club trusts him to be a key player to stop players in La Liga, like the potential new Real Madrid signing, Kylian Mbappé. This seems like a bad transfer to some fans as he doesn't seem like a standout player to become a starting defensive midfielder along with Frenkie De Jong.

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Fabrizio Romano mentioned that FC Barcelona and the player had a verbal agreement two weeks ago with the approval of Xavi Hernandez. To sign formal contracts, Barça has to wait for Financial Fair Play approval and the deal remains imminent; they are waiting for formal steps. Rodriguez would sign a two-year deal with Barcelona, with the contract having an option to extend until 2027.

Argentine journalist from TyC Sports Gaston Edul reports that the Argentine midfielder has already signed a pre-contract with Barcelona, and the move seems very close to happening. Barcelona wants to find a player to replace Oriol Romeu, who was brought in last summer as an option to replace Sergio Busquets, who left last summer from the Catalan club to join Inter Miami. Rodriguez's contract with Real Betis expires this summer, and he will join the club as a free transfer, which benefits the club and saves them money.

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Guido Rodriguez's stats with Real Betis

Rodriguez has played a total of 171 matches for Real Betis in all competitions since his arrival in 2020 from Club America in Mexico. The Argentine midfielder has scored nine goals and provided four assists from the defensive midfielder role in these past four seasons. This season, Rodriguez has played a total of 27 matches in all competitions, where he has scored two goals and provided one assist.